NEWS RELEASELuther StrangeAlabama Attorney Generalwww.ago.alabama.gov

(MONTGOMERY)—Attorney General Luther Strange today announced the conviction of a woman for first-degree rape of a child victim. Kelli Champion Hussey, 36, of Ashland, pleaded guilty on March 7 in Coffee County Circuit Court and was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment, to be followed by ten years of supervised release.

Hussey currently is incarcerated for additional sex crimes she had committed against the same child victim, and previously served prison time for sex crimes against a different child victim.

"The severe sentence imposed in this case is appropriate, but nothing can undo the tragedy of the terrible crimes this defendant continued to commit against young children," said Attorney General Strange. ""It is my hope that this strong measure of justice may bring a degree of peace to those she harmed, and may serve as a stern warning to others who might commit such terrible acts. The work done by those in our Violent Crimes Division and our Victims Service Office involves heartbreaking cases such as this one, of terrible crimes that devastate innocent lives. Once again, I am proud of their determination and caring dedication."

The sentence imposed last week runs concurrently with a ten-year sentence that Hussey received for a 2009 conviction in Coffee County Circuit Court for second-degree rape and other multiple sex crimes. Following the completion of this previous ten-year sentence, Hussey will be imprisoned for the remainder of the 20-year sentence for her 2011 conviction. Hussey committed these crimes following her release from prison for a 2002 conviction in Coffee County Circuit Court of first-degree sex abuse of a child.

Attorney General Strange commended those who handled this case, noting in particular Assistant Attorney General Kelly Hawkins of the Attorney General’s Violent Crimes Division, Victim Service Officer Doris Hancock of the Attorney General’s Office of Victims Assistance, and Special Agents of the Attorney General’s Investigations Division.